Workday Status Meanings: Getting Clear On Your Progress

Adam Koss 16 Jul 2025

Ever stared at a screen, seeing words like "Pending" or "Approved" in your Workday system, and wondered what they really meant for you? It's a pretty common feeling, actually. Knowing what these little labels mean can make a big difference in how you manage your tasks, track your applications, or even just understand your time off requests. Getting a good grasp on these Workday status meanings helps you stay informed and feel more in control of your professional life.

So, you might be thinking, what's the big deal about a few words on a screen? Well, these statuses are like tiny signals telling you where things stand. They let you know if something needs your attention, if it's moving forward, or if it's already done. It's a way the system talks to you, basically, about the progress of various activities within your company's human resources and finance processes.

Today, we're going to break down these statuses, making them much clearer. We'll look at the common ones you're likely to see, what they tell you, and what you might do next. This way, you'll feel a lot more comfortable the next time you check your Workday account, knowing just what's happening with your information.

Understanding the Term "Workday" Itself
Why Clarity on Workday Statuses Matters
Common Workday Status Categories
Deciphering Specific Status Labels
Practical Tips for Managing Your Workday Statuses
Frequently Asked Questions About Workday Statuses
Making the Most of Your Workday Experience

Understanding the Term "Workday" Itself

Before we dive into the meanings of statuses within the Workday system, it's pretty useful to get clear on what the word "workday" actually means on its own. You see, there's sometimes a bit of confusion, like my text points out, between "workday" as one word and "work day" as two words. A "workday," written as a single word, or a "work day," written as two words, usually refers to a day when you are doing your job. This is different from a weekend or a holiday, so it's a day when business operations are generally happening.

My text also brings up the idea of "working days" versus "weekdays." A "weekday" is any day from Monday through Friday, that's just how it is. But, a "working day" might be a bit more specific. For instance, if next Monday happens to be a public holiday, it's still a weekday, but it might not be considered a "working day" for everyone. This distinction is quite important when you're thinking about things like delivery schedules, where weekends or holidays might not count towards the total time, so you know, it's good to be aware.

This difference becomes really clear when you think about how companies count time for things like receiving a ticket or getting something delivered. My text mentions "jours ouvrés" in French, which is basically a business day, meaning it doesn't count Saturdays or Sundays. So, when you see "workday" in the context of the software, it's often referring to the system that helps manage all these operational days and the tasks that happen during them, which is a bit of a shift from the simple calendar definition.

Why Clarity on Workday Statuses Matters

Getting a handle on Workday status meanings is, you know, pretty important for a few good reasons. For one thing, it helps you feel less confused and more sure of what's going on with your requests or applications. If you've ever submitted something and then just waited, wondering what was happening, you'll know that feeling of not quite knowing where things stand. Clear statuses take away some of that guesswork, so that's a plus.

Also, knowing the status can tell you if you need to do something next. Maybe a request is "Pending Your Action," which means it's waiting for you to click a button or provide some more information. If you don't understand that status, you might just wait, and then things get delayed, which nobody really wants, does that make sense? It helps keep things moving along for everyone involved, actually.

Furthermore, for managers or HR teams, understanding these statuses helps them keep track of processes and make sure everything is running smoothly. They can see where bottlenecks might be, or which items need their immediate attention. It's about making the whole system work better for the entire organization, really, making sure everyone is on the same page about progress.

Common Workday Status Categories

Workday uses different status labels depending on what kind of activity you're looking at. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation, so you'll see different sets of words for different tasks. This makes sense, as a job application goes through a very different path than, say, a request for time off. We can break these down into a few common areas, so it's easier to follow along.

Job Application Statuses

When you apply for a job through Workday, your application goes through a series of steps, and each step has its own status. These statuses tell you where you are in the hiring process. You might see things like "Applied," which is pretty straightforward, meaning your application has been received. Then there could be "Under Review," which suggests someone is looking at your details, which is a bit exciting, you know?

Later on, you might see "Interview Scheduled" or "Offer Extended," which are clearly good signs. On the other hand, statuses like "Not Selected" or "Application Withdrawn" also give you a clear picture of the outcome. These statuses help manage expectations for job seekers, giving them a sense of where they stand at any given moment, which is really quite helpful for peace of mind.

Time Off and Leave Requests

Requesting time away from work, whether it's for vacation or a medical leave, also involves a clear set of statuses in Workday. When you first put in your request, it will likely show as "Pending Approval." This means it's waiting for your manager or another authorized person to look at it and make a decision, so you know, it's just sitting there for a bit.

Once reviewed, it could become "Approved," meaning you're good to go, or "Denied," which means it wasn't accepted, and you might need to discuss it further. Sometimes, you might even see "Canceled," if you or someone else decided to pull the request back. These statuses are very important for planning, both for you and for your team, so you can coordinate schedules properly.

Expense Reports and Reimbursements

If you've ever had to submit an expense report to get money back for work-related costs, you'll be familiar with this category. Your report starts out, perhaps, as a "Draft" while you're still adding all your receipts and details. Once you submit it, it might move to "Submitted" or "Pending Approval," waiting for a manager or finance team to check it over, so you know, it's in the queue.

After approval, you'll likely see "Approved for Payment" or "Paid," indicating that the money is on its way or has already been sent. If there's an issue, it could be "Returned for Correction," meaning you need to fix something, or "Denied," if the expense isn't approved. These statuses are quite vital for getting your money back in a timely way, which is something we all appreciate, right?

Payroll and Compensation Changes

Any changes to your pay, benefits, or direct deposit information also go through Workday, and they have their own set of statuses. When a change is initiated, it might be "In Progress" or "Pending Review." This means the HR or payroll team is working on it, or it's waiting for someone to give it a final check, so it's not quite done yet.

Once the change is fully processed and updated in the system, it will typically show as "Completed." If there's an issue or a need for more information, it could be "On Hold" or "Requires Action." These statuses are, you know, extremely important because they directly affect your earnings and benefits, so keeping an eye on them is a pretty good idea.

Performance and Goal Tracking

Workday is also used for setting goals, tracking your performance, and conducting performance reviews. Here, statuses might indicate the stage of a review cycle or the progress of a specific goal. A goal might be "Not Started," "In Progress," or "Completed," giving you a clear picture of where you stand with your objectives, so you know, it helps with organization.

For performance reviews, you might see statuses like "Self-Review Due," "Manager Review Pending," or "Review Completed." These statuses help ensure that performance discussions happen on time and that all necessary steps are followed. It's a way to keep everyone aligned on professional development, which is, you know, quite a big deal for growth.

Deciphering Specific Status Labels

While the categories give you a general idea, some specific status labels pop up across many different Workday processes. Understanding these common terms can really help you make sense of what's happening, no matter what kind of request you're looking at. These are the words you'll see over and over again, so getting them down is pretty useful.

Pending

"Pending" is a very common status, and it means something is waiting for a particular action to happen before it can move forward. It could be "Pending Approval," meaning it's waiting for a manager's okay. Or it might be "Pending Your Action," which tells you that you need to do something specific, like provide more information or click a button, so you know, it's on your plate.

This status is a signal that the process isn't stuck, but it's paused, waiting for someone to interact with it. If you see "Pending," it's a good idea to check who needs to act next, or what step is required, to keep things moving along. It's a kind of holding pattern, basically, until the next step can begin.

In Progress

When something is "In Progress," it means the process has started, and work is actively being done on it. This is a positive sign, as it indicates movement. For example, a new hire's onboarding might be "In Progress," meaning various tasks like setting up their accounts and getting their equipment are being handled, so you know, things are happening.

You might not need to do anything when you see "In Progress," as it usually means someone else is working on it. It's just a way of letting you know that the wheels are turning, and the item is being processed by the appropriate teams or individuals. It's a status that communicates active work, which is pretty reassuring.

Approved

"Approved" is a clear and usually very welcome status. It means that a request, application, or change has been reviewed and given the green light. For instance, your time off request being "Approved" means you can take those days off as planned. An expense report being "Approved" means it's ready for payment, which is, you know, a good thing.

Once something is "Approved," the next steps usually involve the system automatically moving it to the next stage, like processing payment or updating records. You typically don't need to do anything further once you see this status, other than perhaps prepare for the next phase of whatever it was you requested. It's a final positive decision, basically.

Denied or Rejected

A "Denied" or "Rejected" status means that a request or application has not been accepted. This can happen for various reasons, such as not meeting certain criteria, or simply not being feasible at the moment. For a job application, it means you were not selected for the role, which can be a bit disappointing, of course.

If you see "Denied" or "Rejected," it's often a good idea to check if there's any feedback provided or if you can reach out to the relevant person for more information. Sometimes, you might be able to resubmit with corrections, or it might mean the process is simply over for that particular item. It's a definite "no" for that specific request, basically.

Canceled

The "Canceled" status means that a process or request was stopped before it was completed. This could be because you, the user, decided to withdraw a request, or because an administrator canceled it for some reason. For example, you might cancel a time off request if your plans change, so you know, it's about flexibility.

When something is "Canceled," it usually means it won't move forward any further. It's a definitive end to that particular transaction, without it being approved or denied in the traditional sense. It's like pressing the undo button on a process, essentially, so it stops right there.

Completed

"Completed" is a very satisfying status to see. It means that the entire process for that particular item has finished. For instance, once your new hire paperwork is fully processed and all systems are updated, your onboarding might show as "Completed." This means everything is done and dusted, so you know, it's a good feeling.

When something is "Completed," there are usually no more actions required from anyone involved for that specific task. It's the final stage, indicating that the task or transaction has run its full course. It's the end of the line for that particular item, in a good way, actually.

Draft

A "Draft" status means that you've started working on something in Workday, but you haven't submitted it yet. This is common for expense reports, performance reviews, or even job applications that allow you to save your progress. It's like saving a document before you send it off, so you know, it's still a work in progress.

When something is in "Draft" status, only you can see it, and it won't move forward until you formally submit it. It's a temporary state that lets you prepare information before making it official. This status is quite useful for gathering all your thoughts and details before sending them out, giving you time to get things just right.

Practical Tips for Managing Your Workday Statuses

Keeping track of your Workday statuses can feel like a small thing, but it really helps you stay organized and on top of your professional life. One simple tip is to regularly check your Workday inbox or notifications. This is where the system often tells you about changes in status or actions you need to take, so you know, it's your central hub.

If a status seems stuck on "Pending" for a long time, it's perfectly fine to gently follow up with the person or department responsible. Sometimes, things just get busy, and a quick reminder can help move things along. Just a polite email or message can make a difference, actually, in getting things unstuck.

Another good idea is to understand your company's specific policies related to different processes. Some companies have unique workflows or timeframes for approvals. Knowing these can help you better interpret what a status means for your particular situation. It's like knowing the rules of the game, basically, for your own organization.

For new hires, it's very helpful to ask questions during onboarding about how to check statuses for common tasks like time off or expense reports. Getting this information early on can save you a lot of head-scratching later. People are usually happy to help you get acquainted with the system, so you know, don't be afraid to ask.

And, if you're a manager, regularly reviewing your team's pending items in Workday can prevent delays. Your prompt action on approvals helps keep everyone's processes running smoothly. It's a way to support your team and ensure that administrative tasks don't hold up important work, which is pretty good for morale, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workday Statuses

What does "In Progress" mean for my job application?

When your job application shows "In Progress," it typically means the hiring team is actively working on reviewing applications, scheduling interviews, or moving candidates through the various stages of the hiring process. It's not yet a final decision, but it does mean your application is being considered, which is a positive sign, you know.

How can I find out why my time off request was "Denied"?

If your time off request is "Denied," Workday usually provides a reason or allows your manager to add comments explaining the decision. You can usually find this information by clicking on the denied request in your Workday inbox or history. If no reason is there, reaching out to your manager directly is the best next step to understand why, so you know, you can get some clarity.

What should I do if my expense report is "Returned for Correction"?

If your expense report is "Returned for Correction," it means there's something you need to fix or add before it can be approved. Workday will typically highlight the specific errors or missing information. You'll need to make those adjustments and then resubmit the report for another review. It's just a way to ensure everything is accurate before processing, basically, so it's a helpful step.

Making the Most of Your Workday Experience

Understanding the various Workday status meanings is a small but powerful skill. It helps you stay informed, take timely actions, and generally feel more comfortable with your company's administrative processes. By paying a little attention to these labels, you can avoid confusion and ensure your requests and applications move along as they should. It's about being an informed participant in your professional life, so you know, that's a good thing.

We've gone through the basic definition of "workday" itself, looked at why these statuses matter, and then explored common categories and specific labels you'll encounter. Remember, each status tells a story about where something stands, and knowing that story helps you manage your work life more effectively. You can learn more about Workday functions on our site, and for specific help, feel free to visit this page for detailed guides. Staying informed makes a big difference, really, in how smoothly things go for you.

Keeping an eye on these statuses today, this November 26, 2023, is just as relevant as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. The system itself might get updates, but the core idea of these status messages stays consistent. It's about clear communication from the system to you, helping you manage your professional life with greater ease. For more general information about enterprise resource planning systems like Workday, you might find this Wikipedia article quite informative, too.

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